{
  "id": 7532357,
  "title": "10 Indian athletes to watch at the Asian Games",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/10-indian-athletes-to-watch-at-the-asian-games",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-15T10:18:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/other-sports/asian-games-2026-10-indian-athletes-to-watch-as-india-chases-another-100-medal-haul/articleshow/134258628.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India is preparing for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, aiming to build upon its record-breaking 107-medal haul from Hangzhou. Despite the absence of javelin star Neeraj Chopra, India boasts a robust lineup of medal contenders across various disciplines.\n\nManu Bhaker, a double Olympic medallist in shooting, emerges as a top individual prospect. Bhaker's presence bolsters India's shooting contingent, which dominated the shooting events at Hangzhou with seven gold medals. Esha Singh, a 21-year-old, enters the Games in exceptional form, currently ranked world No. 1 in the women's 25m pistol and No. 2 in 10m air pistol. Singh's impressive track record includes multiple World Cup titles and a world championship bronze, as well as two individual silvers and a team gold at Hangzhou.\n\nJyothi Surekha Vennam is considered one of India's strongest archery contenders. With three gold medals from the 2022 Hangzhou Games, Vennam has never returned empty-handed from an Asian Games, making her events crucial for India's medal tally. Dhiraj Bommadevara, a 25-year-old, makes his debut at Nagoya after claiming the Archery World Cup Final and the 2026 Antalya World Cup. He is considered India's leading male recurve archer.\n\nIn athletics, 3000m steeplechaser Dhiraj Bommadevara returns from a long injury layoff, having already won gold at the Asian Games and holding the Indian national record. Mirabai Chanu, a Tokyo Olympic silver medallist in weightlifting, aims to secure an Asian Games medal that has so far eluded her. At 32, Chanu competes in the 49kg category, viewing the Asian Games as close to the Olympic level.\n\nIn badminton, PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist and former world champion, remains one of India's most experienced medal hopes. Sindhu will strive to add an Asian Games individual medal to her impressive collection of major honours. Lakshya Sen, another prominent badminton player, is viewed as one of India's leading singles prospects in men's singles. Aman Sehrawat, a Paris Olympics bronze medallist in wrestling, leads India's wrestling hopes in a sport that has historically contributed significantly to the Asian Games medal count. Sujeet Kalkal, another talented wrestler, completes the list of India's leading individual wrestling prospects, expected to help India add to its wrestling medal haul.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "The Indian athletes most likely to make the podium",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/the-indian-athletes-most-likely-to-make-the-podium",
        "published": "2026-09-15T06:26:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}